Meet the authors

Dana Petersen

Mark Hanna

Stay up-to-date with AgDM

Conserve fuel and energy when moving snow

AgDM Newsletter
January 2013

Expect the unexpected might be the theme for this year’s winter weather, especially if Iowa’s December snow storm is an indication of what lies ahead. Every farm has unique features - windbreaks, site-specific terrain, building placement - and blowing snow may present a challenge. This winter, consider these tips for minimizing farm energy costs and machinery wear and tear when moving snow on the farmstead.

“A common misconception about managing farm energy expenses is that farmers must be willing to spend money to capture savings,” says Mark Hanna, ISU extension ag engineer. “During the winter months, many energy-saving practices can be implemented with little or no out-of-pocket cost for farmers.”

Hanna emphasizes that engine care is critical, especially during the cold weather. “To avoid cold starts, the winter routine typically requires a block heater for your motor,” he says. “Assuming twelve cents per kilowatt hour for a 1000-watt block heater, you can save more than a dollar a day by simply installing a two-hour timer for that heater instead of leaving it plugged in all night.”
In addition to engine care and maintenance, Hanna notes that certain pieces of machinery are better suited to particular types of snow removal.

If your farmstead has space for piles of snow, you may be able to get by with a blade mounted to a ¾-ton truck. Sleet, ice, and slushy, heavy snow typically can be cleared with a 60- or 72-inch plow blade. However, there are drawbacks to using the farm truck. Pushing snow is hard on the engine and transmission, and the limited maneuverability results in overlapping and excess fuel consump­tion.
By comparison, a plow blade mounted to a four-wheel drive tractor allows you to make tighter turns, capture more horsepower and use less fuel. Visibility from the tractor seat is also typically bet­ter than a pick-up. For the safety of all farm em­ployees, maintaining a steady speed when moving snow - whether on a tractor or in a truck - will minimize fuel consumption while maximizing farm safety.
Another advantage of moving snow with a tractor is versatility. A front-end loader can be used to dig through deep drifts. Other attachments, such as a blower or a blade, can also be rear-mounted to the same tractor. This allows the operator to move more snow with fewer passes, thereby saving fuel.

For heavy snow accumulation, a blower moves the snow quickly and easily. If your local snowfall is intermittent, a three-point, rear-mounting blower that attaches to a tractor’s PTO is simple and straightforward. In comparison, a front-mounted snow blower typically has a more complicated mounting mechanism that incorporates hydraulics. Snow blowers are helpful for maintaining long driveways that are prone to drifting snow, but loose gravel may clog the blower with grit and gusting winds may compromise the blower’s reach.

If you find yourself in over your head, ask a neighbor for help. Be sure to maintain clear communication regarding fueling and maintenance when sharing machinery among neighbors or family. This is especially important to minimize fuel costs and unnecessary wear and tear.

Keep your equipment running smoothly on the farmstead this winter to reduce energy consumption - and aggravation - no matter what the weather brings!